The Daily Mail says United hierarchy has privately accepted that delays in Moyes becoming manager have affected the club's start to the season.

They recognise the club should have bought Moyes out of his contract at Everton - enabling him to work on summer targets before his eventual July 1 start date at Old Trafford.

The club are now determined to give him all the help he needs to atone for the problems they encountered in the summer market. United's owners the Glazers are prepared to back Moyes in the January transfer window as the new Old Trafford manager tries to navigate his way through a difficult first season.